UFW President Teresa Romero Condemns Trump’s Racist Deportation Crackdown

Key Takeaways

• On July 1, 2025, Teresa Romero condemned Trump’s expanded immigration raids targeting farmworkers and essential laborers.
• The Trump administration increased workplace raids, faster deportations, and deportation priority for any immigration violation.
• United Farm Workers provide legal aid, organize protests, and support families facing deportation or separation.

Teresa Romero, President of the United Farm Workers, Speaks Out Against Trump Administration’s Deportation Crackdown

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

On July 1, 2025, Teresa Romero, President of the United Farm Workers (UFW), delivered a strong message on KPFA’s “Flashpoints” radio program. She condemned the Trump administration’s renewed and expanded crackdown on immigrant workers, especially those in agriculture and other essential jobs. This comes as the Trump administration, having returned to office in January 2025, has quickly brought back and expanded tough immigration enforcement policies. These changes have created fear and uncertainty for thousands of immigrant workers across the United States 🇺🇸.

Romero’s comments are especially important now, as the country debates how to treat the people who harvest food, clean homes, and care for families. Many of these workers are immigrants, and a large number do not have legal status. The new enforcement actions have made their lives much harder, putting them at risk of arrest, detention, and deportation.

Key Developments and Immediate Impact

• July 1, 2025: Teresa Romero appeared on KPFA’s “Flashpoints,” calling the Trump administration’s actions “racist” and “an attack on the very workers who keep America fed.” She highlighted how these policies target “brown workers who do the hardest work in this country and now face jail and deportation for their amazing and crucial efforts.”
• Recent Arrest: Romero was arrested during a protest at a University of California Board of Regents meeting in San Francisco. She was standing with UC frontline workers, showing her commitment to fighting for all essential workers, not just those in agriculture.
• Broader Context: Renee Saucedo, founder of ALMAS Libres/Raizes Collective, joined the same broadcast. She described how the Trump administration’s crackdown is also hurting domestic workers and day laborers, many of whom are women and mothers.

What Has Changed Under the Trump Administration?

Since returning to office in January 2025, the Trump administration has moved quickly to bring back and expand strict immigration enforcement. These changes include:

• More Workplace Raids: Immigration agents are visiting farms, hotels, and homes where they believe undocumented workers are employed. These raids often lead to arrests and deportations.
• Faster Deportations: The administration is using “expedited removal” procedures. This means some people can be deported quickly, sometimes without seeing a judge.
• Wider Targeting: New executive orders now make anyone with any past immigration violation a priority for deportation, even if they have no criminal record.

These steps have led to a sharp increase in detentions and deportations, especially among farmworkers and other essential laborers. Many advocacy groups say this has created a climate of fear in immigrant communities.

Voices from the Front Lines

Teresa Romero and the United Farm Workers

Teresa Romero, as President of the United Farm Workers, has become a leading voice against these enforcement actions. She argues that the crackdown is not just unfair, but also dangerous for the country’s food supply. “This is an attack on the very workers who keep America fed,” Romero said, pointing out that immigrant labor is essential to getting food from farms to tables.

The UFW, under Romero’s leadership, has responded by:

• Organizing Protests: The union has held rallies and demonstrations to draw attention to the impact of these policies.
• Providing Legal Help: UFW has expanded its legal clinics and offers emergency support to workers facing deportation or family separation.
• Working with Allies: The union is coordinating with other labor and immigrant rights groups to resist enforcement actions and support affected workers.

Other Stakeholders Speak Out

• Renee Saucedo (ALMAS Libres/Raizes Collective): Saucedo has echoed Romero’s concerns, especially about the impact on women and families in the domestic labor sector.
• Agricultural Employers: Some farm owners worry about losing workers and the risk of crops going unharvested, which could hurt the food supply.
• Trump Administration Officials: They defend the crackdown as necessary to “restore law and order” and “protect American jobs.” Critics, however, say these policies hurt essential workers and their families.

How Are Workers Affected?

The new enforcement measures have serious effects on immigrant workers, their families, and the communities that depend on them.

Increased Risk of Detention and Deportation

• Many farmworkers are undocumented or have family members with different immigration statuses (mixed-status families).
• These workers now face a higher risk of being arrested at work or in their neighborhoods.
• Families worry about being separated if a parent or breadwinner is detained or deported.

Chilling Effect on Labor Organizing

• Fear of raids and deportation makes it harder for unions and advocacy groups to organize workers.
• Workers may be afraid to report unsafe conditions, wage theft, or abuse, fearing they could be targeted for deportation.

Legal and Humanitarian Support

• The UFW and partner organizations have expanded their services to help workers:
  • Legal Clinics: Free or low-cost legal advice for those facing deportation.
  • Know-Your-Rights Trainings: Teaching workers what to do if immigration agents come to their workplace or home.
  • Emergency Support: Help for families separated by detention or deportation.

What Should Affected Workers Do?

If you are a farmworker or essential worker worried about immigration enforcement, here are some steps you can take:

• Carry Documentation: If you have legal status or are eligible for relief, keep your documents with you.
• Know Your Rights: Learn what to do if immigration agents approach you at work or at home. The UFW and other groups offer materials in many languages.
• Seek Legal Help: If you are detained or receive a removal order, contact a lawyer right away. The UFW provides a hotline and legal assistance for members and their families. You can find more information on the UFW’s official website.
• Stay Informed: Policies can change quickly. Check trusted sources like the UFW or official government websites for updates.

Procedural Details for Workers Facing Enforcement

• During a Raid: Stay calm. You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer.
• If Detained: Do not sign any documents without talking to a lawyer. You may have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge.
• If Served with a Removal Order: Contact legal aid immediately. Some people may qualify for relief from removal, such as asylum or family-based petitions.

For more information about your rights during immigration enforcement, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) “Know Your Rights” page.

Background: Teresa Romero’s Leadership and Recognition

Teresa Romero has led the United Farm Workers since 2018. She is the first Latina and the first immigrant woman to head a national labor union in the United States 🇺🇸. Her leadership has focused on:

• Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Pushing for laws that protect farmworkers and give them a path to legal status.
• Worker Protections: Fighting for better wages, safer working conditions, and respect for all workers, regardless of immigration status.

In May 2024, Romero received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Biden, the highest civilian honor in the United States 🇺🇸. This award recognized her years of advocacy for farmworker rights and her role in shaping national conversations about immigration and labor.

Broader Context: Why This Matters

The Trump administration’s enforcement policies have sparked strong reactions from many groups:

• Labor and Immigrant Rights Advocates: They argue that aggressive enforcement hurts public health, food security, and basic human rights. Many point out that farmworkers and domestic workers kept the country running during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to do essential work.
• Employers: Some farm owners and business leaders worry about labor shortages. If workers are afraid to show up or are deported, crops may rot in the fields, and businesses may struggle to operate.
• Government Officials: The Trump administration says these actions are needed to enforce the law and protect jobs for U.S. citizens. However, critics say the policies are too harsh and do not consider the important role of immigrant workers.

Legal and Political Challenges Ahead

• Court Cases: Advocacy groups have filed lawsuits in federal courts to stop mass raids and fast-track deportations. Some judges have already issued temporary orders blocking certain actions.
• Legislation: Congressional Democrats and some moderate Republicans have introduced bills to give temporary protections or legal status to essential workers. However, it is unclear if these bills will pass, given the current political climate.
• Ongoing Advocacy: The UFW and allied organizations plan more protests, lobbying, and public campaigns throughout the summer of 2025.

Practical Resources for Workers and Families

• United Farm Workers (UFW):
  • Website: ufw.org
  • Emergency hotline and legal resources are available through the site.
• Know-Your-Rights Materials: Distributed by UFW and partner organizations in multiple languages.
• Legal Aid: UFW and local immigrant rights groups offer free or low-cost legal consultations for affected workers.

Summary Table: Key Facts (as of July 2, 2025)

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Immigrant Workers and Their Advocates?

The coming months will be critical for immigrant workers, their families, and the organizations that support them. Legal battles in the courts may shape how far the Trump administration can go with its enforcement policies. At the same time, public protests and lobbying efforts will keep pressure on lawmakers to consider new protections for essential workers.

For now, the United Farm Workers, led by Teresa Romero, remains at the center of this fight. The union’s work—providing legal help, organizing protests, and speaking out in the media—offers hope and support to thousands of workers facing an uncertain future.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation remains fluid, and affected individuals should stay connected to trusted organizations and official resources for the latest updates and support.

Action Steps for Readers

• If you or someone you know is affected by these policies, reach out to the UFW or a local immigrant rights group for help.
• Stay informed about your rights and any changes in the law.
• Support organizations working to protect immigrant workers and their families.

For official information on immigration enforcement and your rights, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration Enforcement page.

By staying informed and connected, workers and their families can better protect themselves and continue to contribute to the communities and industries that rely on their hard work.

Learn Today

United Farm Workers (UFW) → A labor union representing farmworkers advocating for their rights and protections in the United States.
Deportation → The legal process of removing a non-citizen from the United States due to immigration violations.
Expedited Removal → A fast-tracked deportation procedure that can occur without an immigration judge hearing.
Workplace Raids → Enforcement actions where immigration agents visit workplaces to arrest undocumented workers.
Know-Your-Rights Trainings → Educational sessions teaching immigrants how to respond during immigration enforcement actions.

This Article in a Nutshell

Teresa Romero, UFW President, condemns Trump’s 2025 immigration crackdown targeting essential workers. Expanded raids and deportations fuel fear. UFW offers legal aid, protests, and trainings to protect immigrant laborers, emphasizing their crucial role in America’s food supply and economy amid rising enforcement threats.
— By VisaVerge.com